2017 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Wine Wednesday!  This had been a crazy day by all accounts, starting with a power outage, the second in a week - it's like I'm living in California but with crappy weather!  Speaking of California, that's where tonight's wine hails from, the 2017 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, from a long-time favorite producer from Paso Robles. Oddly enough, it seems I've developed a trend of only enjoying the odd-year vintages of Justin Cabernet, as I've enjoyed the 2013, 2015 and now the 2017.  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is an inky deep indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a solid Cabernet.  Take a whiff and you are treated to a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and plum, with hints of lavender underneath, suggesting more of an old-world style of Cabernet.  The first sip is a rush of jammy fruit at first, that eases into some earthy notes of green grass and sharp mineral notes.  The tannins are firm, but well integrated, setting the stage for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet, and at just $24 it's one you can enjoy on a weeknight.  This wine would pair well with beef, lots of beef, as well as casual summer dishes from burgers to barbecue to pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip, with some fire roasted peppers, oven roasted baby potatoes and some steamed Italian beans.  Cheers!

2007 Stag's Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah

 Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month and that means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making and tonight I've opened a special wine from a stellar Napa Valley Vintage, the 2007 Stag's Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah.  I am a fan of Petite Syrah as I find that it's generally neither petite nor very Syrah like, as it tends to be a much bigger, bolder wine.  I've decanted this wine and let it open up a bit so let's see how it's shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, much more reminiscent of a Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit intermingled with a bit of mint, green herbs and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  The taste is exactly what you might expect from the aromas, with a rush of jammy fruit that quickly subsides to reveal flavors of green olives, white pepper and a bit of earthy funk midpalate.  The tannins are quite subdued revealing a soft, voluptuous dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an excellent sipping wine that might be a year or two past it's prime.  This wine would pair well with just about any Labor Day fare, from grilled steak to barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York Strip, along with some grilled leeks, fire roasted peppers and grilled corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Syrah

 Happy Taco Tuesday!  I bet you'll never guess what I'm having for dinner.  And for some reason, one of my favorite wines to enjoy with tacos is a nice Syrah, and I've opened a good one tonight.  The 2015 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Walla Walla Syrah is a 100% Syrah sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with nice clarity and body.  The nose exudes aromas of leather, black pepper and hints of violet that bring to mind some old-world charm.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit, with blackberry, plum and blueberry, with a bit of tart cherry midpalate.  There is a good bit of earthiness and texture to this wine that provides for some interesting tastes as the wine opens up while sipping throughout an evening.  The tannins are firm and well integrated for the long, dry finish that hits you with a bit of bitter chocolate at the very end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasant drinking and food friendly wine.  This one would pair well with anything from grilled steaks to barbecue, to shrimp skewers or pasta (ideal for the upcoming Labor Day weekend!).  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some simple beef taco with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and jalapenos on fresh corn tortillas.  Cheers!